Highlights & Reminders

The faculty in Geography-Earth Science wish all of you a productive and safe summer! For those of you working at your internships, keep up the hard work. Make us proud! When you get a chance, share some photos with the department Facebook page and let us know what you are up to. Click here: https://www.facebook.com/ShipGeoESS

Fall Classes Begin Soon

Just a reminder, fall classes begin on Monday August 24, 2015. If you have any questions about your fall class schedule, please contact the office and someone will be able to assist you. The office phone number is 477-1685.

2015 Department Photo Contest:

Don't forget, each fall we will run our student-faculty-alumni photo contest! So get some great shots this summer. Be thinking about all those awesome Geo/ESS themes!

Alumni

Majors

The Department of Geography and Earth Science typically has between 200 and 250 undergraduate and graduate students majoring in one of the degree programs listed below. Our most popular major is Geoenvironmental Studies, although Geography-GIS is a growing, in-demand program. Departmental faculty pride ourselves in the quality and diversity of all of our courses, the quality of instruction in the classroom, in the laboratory, and in the field. We are committed to practical hands-on learning opportunities, including internships for all students, and we take advising and career planning very seriously. Once a student declares a specific major, they are advised by one of the fifteen full-time faculty members. Students should be assured that they have someone that will assist them with making choices that will allow them to be successful both here at Shippensburg, but also beyond as they prepare for a productive career. Students are reminded, however, that it is up to them to signup for regular advising appointments, and/or to approach their advisor when they experience any difficulties. If a student is not able to reach their specific advisor, they may always contact the departmental office for assistance.

Certificate:

An undergraduate GIS certificate (12 credits) was developed and offered beginning in the Fall of 2000. The certificate is designed for students in any major (including GEO majors) who want a solid hands-on introduction to GIS, exposure to a range of applications, and an official certificate recorded on their academic transcript.

Minors

The Geography and Earth Science Department offers two minors in our program: the Geography-Earth Science Minor and the GIS Minor. Our courses and faculty also support the International Studies Minor. Students majoring in a other academic majors (i.e. not a GEO/ESS Major) are able to select from one of the following minors:

The Geography minor can be satisfied through completion of one of four 21-credit options: Geoenvironmental, Urban-Rural Planning, World Regional Systems, and Geoscience. These tracks highlight both the social and physical sides of Geography-Earth Science and are designed to provide students with a range of options that address their specific interests. This minor would be an excellent choice for students majoring in elementary education, history/social studies, biology, etc.

In 2008, faculty developed a GIS Minor (18 credits). The minor supports non-major (i.e., non-GEO) programs that recognize the need for students to develop geospatial thinking, database, and mapping skills. Students enrolled in Business, Supply Chain Management, and Criminal Justice have been quick to explore the new opportunity, and it is also appropriate for students in Biology, Computer Science, or other programs where spatial skills are critical for analyses. Thus, the GIS Minor is an excellent complement to any major that focuses on people, money, resources, or the environment in general.

Internships:

Graduate Degree Offerings:

Additional Information:

Official Geography & Earth Science Department course descriptions from the University catalog can be viewed here. Please note that courses with numbers from 400 to 499 are listed in both the undergraduate and graduate course listings, and, are open to graduate and advanced undergraduate students. Graduate students enrolled in 400 level courses are expected to meet the customary standards appropriate to graduate-level studies. These standards are reflected in the specific requirements found in syllabi for each of the 400 level courses. A maximum of 12 semester hour credits of 400 level courses may be applied to the requirements of the master’s degree.

Undergraduate Advising Worksheets, which indicate requirements for the various programs of study are also available at left, as are the undergraduate research guidelines for GEO 397. Thesis proposal guidelines for graduate students may also be reviewed.

Please note that these resources are provided for your information only -- all students should work closely with their advisor to plan their specific course of study.

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For an up to date list of Geography & Earth Science courses offered, please consult the current University schedule.